Jyoti Kothari

Vegetarianism: The way of healthy life

Thanks,
Jyoti Kothari

(Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is also ISO 9000 professional)

Saturday, April 10, 2010

New idol of Sri Seemandhar Swami at Azimganj

There is Sri Seemandhar Swami temple at the first floor of Sri Neminath Ji Mandir at Azimganj, Murshidabad. The temple had a Choumukh (Four idols in four sides) of Seemandhar Swami idols. Unfortunately, one of the idols were broken (Khandit). It was broken long back.

However, it has not been reinstalled. Acharya Padmasagar Suri inspired Azimganj Sri Sangh to renovate Sri Neminath Swami temple during his Chaturmas at Azimganj and the Sangh renovated the temple as per his will. Even he has overlooked this issue despite complete renovation of the temple.

I have repeatedly raised this issue of Khandit Pratima at several places and finally Sunil Choraria, secretary, Azimganj Sri Sangh, has agreed to reinstall the idol during my visit to Azimganj last Chaturmas. He ordered for an idol matching the rest of the three.

A beautiful statue of white marble is made under the supervision of Vidhikarak Yashwant Golechha according to the photograph and size sent to me by Sunil Choraria. The idol has been handed over to Sunil Choraria on April 8, 2010 during his visit to Jaipur along with Ajit Lodha, Suresh Jhabak and Baid.

Sunil Choraria has assured me that the idol will be installed at the place of broken one after Anjanshalaka.

Seemandhar Swami is a Viharman Tirthankar in Purva Mahavideha Kshetra. He is the most worshiped nowadays here among all twenty Viharman Tirthankar. Chaityavandana of Sri Seemandhar Swami is included in The Rai (Morning) Pratikramana. This shows his importance. He is alive and performing his Vihar in Mahavideha Kshetra and obliging people with his sermons in Samavsarana.

With regards,
Jyoti Kothari

(N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry.
He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Jainism: Basic Jain concept of the Universe

Jainism: The eternal and finite Universe

The Universe is an eternal entity according to Jainism. It is never created hence beginningless. According to Jainism beginningless substances are also endless. Hence, the universe is eternal.

Most of the religions and philosophies believe that the universe has a beginning and a creator God has created the Universe. However, Jainism does not believe in a creator god and the concept of Universe in Jainism is self-supported. This is the unique concept of Jainism that also matches by and large with modern sciences and astronomy.

Another unique concept of Jainism is that the Universe is finite. No other philosophy or religion speaks of a finite universe. Even the astronomers and modern scientists were speaking of an infinite universe until Einstein came into the picture with his Theory of relativity.

Albert Einstein proved that the universe is finite using his theory of relativity. He also told that no one could get out of the universe due to its special curvature hence it is unlimited. Einstein was the first one to differentiate between an unlimited and infinite universe. Jain texts clearly speak of a finite universe at various places.

Jain texts also speak of the change phenomenon of the universe. Though eternal, the universe is constantly and continually changing. This is the law of impermanence. The catch, difficult to conceive is, it is permanently impermanent. In other words, it is constantly changing.

I will describe the philosophy and science behind this theory in the next paragraphs.

Understanding the universe according to modern science

The universe is consists of six basic substances according to Jainism. These basic substances are

1. Dharmastikaya
2. Adharmastikaya
3. Akashastikaya
4. Pudgalastikaya
5.Jeevastikaya
6. Kala

These six basic substances are called Shad Dravya in Jain texts and Jain terminology where Shad means six and Dravya mean substance.

I will try to define these six substances suit to modern terminologies.

The first one is Dharmastikaya. It is the substance that helps as a catalyst or media for Pudgala (Matter) and Jeeva (Soul) in traveling.

It is to be noted that Dharmastikaya is only media. It neither provokes nor motivates any substance to move from a place to place nor it supplies energy for the same. "Kriya" (Movement) is an internal quality of two substances Pudgala and Jeeva and when these substances start traveling due to their own motion Dharmastikaya work as media. It is a mass-less, colorless, and invisible substance. Dharmastikaya resembles"Ether" of modern sciences.

Adharmastikaya is just the opposite of Dharmastikaya. It helps Pudgala and Jeeva to rest. Other properties are similar to Dharmastikaya.

When Jeeva and Pudgala are in rest Adharmastikaya becomes the vehicle for that and while in motion Dharmastikaya. There is no similar substance described in the modern sciences, however, it can be somehow compared with the field.

Now I will discuss Akashastikaya (Space) according to Jain philosophy. Akashastikaya provides space to live in all other substances. Akasha is infinite and divided into two parts Lokakasha and Alokakasha. Lokakasha is finite and Alokakasha is infinite. All five other substances dwell in the Lokakasha only. There is nothing except Akasha or space in the Alokakasha. Hence, Alokakasha of Jainism is an absolute void.

The entire Universe remains within the Lokakasha according to Jainism. It is clearly depicted in ancient Jain texts that the Lokakasha is finite and gives space to dwell to all other five substances i.e. Dharmastikaya, Adharmastikaya, Pudgalastikaya, Jeevastikaya, and Kala.

Jeevastikaya is the soul. This is the only substance among all six that is living and has wisdom which is referred to as Chetana or Upayoga. The goal of mundane souls is to be liberated and to attain Moksha or Nirvana. This is the purpose of spirituality in Jainism.

Pudgalastikaya refers to the matter of modern sciences. This is the only substance that can be experienced through our senses and various machines. It has mass and color, Both matter and energy are Pudgalastikaya. Modern sciences and technologies mainly deal with Pudgalastikaya.

Kala is the sixth substance that refers to time. It is divided into three as past, present, and future. Kala or time is the catalyst for all changes in substances.

Space-time and Jainism

The universe was considered as three-dimensional till Einstein. Einstein advocated the four-dimensional theory of the universe. The fourth dimension included was the time. According to the theory of relativity three dimensions can not exist without the fourth dimension time. Similarly, Jain texts depict that everything in the universe can be manifested with Kala (time) only.

Five other Astikaya manifest themselves through the time frame. Hence, the Jain theory of the universe fits in the space-time diagram framework of Einstein.

There is no time or other substances in the Alokakasha according to Jainism. This specifically informs us that there is no dimension except space. Hence this is beyond the universe. Though there is an infinite space, no matter or soul can get out from the Lokakasha to an infinite journey to Alokakasha because of the absence of Dharmastikaya, the media of movement.

Einstein, in his general theory of relativity, has claimed that no matter or energy can get out of this finite universe because of its special curvature. And, he advocated for a finite universe.

Jain theory about the universe is very similar to the general theory of relativity of Einstein.

Thanks, Jyoti Kothari (Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is an adviser, Vardhaman Infotech, a leading IT company in Jaipur. He is also ISO 9000 professional)

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Mahavira Jayanti in Jaipur

Jaipur has celebrated Mahavir Jayanti today with full enthusiasm. Mahavir Jayanti is birth day celebration of 24th Jain Tirthankara Lord Mahavira. Mahavir Jayanti procession started from Mahavir Park and proceeded through Choura rasta, Badi Choupad, Johri bazar to its final destination Ramlila ground MI road. The theme of the procession was "Jainism and environment".

Elephants, Chariots, vehicles, band etc were adding attraction to the procession. Thousands of people from Jain communities participated in this procession. Several Mandals including Mahila Mandals participated in the procession in Jaipur. The procession was converted in to a huge Dharma Sabha at Ramlila ground.

Approximately 300 units of blood were collected in a blood donation camp.

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Mahavir Jayanti in Jaipur
Mahavir Jayanti today

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Mahavira Jayanti today

Today is Mahavira Jayanti. Mahavira Jayanti is Janma Kalyanaka or birth day celebration of Lord Mahavira. Entire Jain community all over the world celebrates this festival with great enthusiasm.

Mahavira Jayanti comes on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi every year according to Indian Lunar Calendar. This day falls on March 28, Sunday, this year 2010.

Jain community observes this day with offering Puja, processions, enactment, symposium on Lord Mahavira and Jainism. Central Government of India has declared Mahavira Jayanti as a holiday in India.

Mahavira Jayanti is observed as Ahimsa Diwas (Non-violence day) and butcheries are closed in many states. It is also a dry day in many states in India.

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Mahavira Jayanti